Does daniel and Johnny not realize it's their dojo

Why were they wasting so much time trying to select students and even getting mike barnes to "unbiasly select students" when they still try and persuade mike to select their favorites. Do they not realize it's ultimately their dojo and they can select whoever they want to go? This also should have been the easiest a fighter selection in the show as you can decide it by who succeeded in the all valley tournament.